by Brynn Hale
“Wow. Incredibly beautiful, super smart, and amazingly thoughtful. That’s some sort of Venn diagram for the perfect woman, right?”
I lift the spoon to my mouth and pause as I see a familiar face. “Hey! Dairen!” I give him a wave and he tips his head curiously.
I stand and meet him behind the booth to give him a hug. He seems a little tense, but I’m sure it’s my imagination. I grab his arm and drag him forward. “Hey, I think you know my…”
Boscoe stands and turns, and my brother’s face tightens.
“What the hell, Boscoe?”
“Dairen, hey, what’s going on? You wanna join us?”
“Is this…a date?” he asks and I start to nod, but as soon as I see that the tan has wiped from Boscoe’s face, I think better.
I wave it all off. “No, I was just taking Boscoe out to say thank you for filling in for you.”
“Oh…okay. Cause dating my sister isn’t on the table. Right, Boscoe?”
Boscoe says nothing, but the tension is so thick that I almost ask Reese for a knife to cut my way out of between them.
I push on Dairen’s shoulder. “You’re just joking, right?” I’m trying to make some sense of this. “So are you here on a date?”
“No, I thought I’d give it a try to make sure it was good enough to bring my baby sister to and the station needs dinner after a long call and we’re bushed.”
“Great minds.” Boscoe slips back into the booth.
Dairen’s voice is tight and direct. “Avery, can I talk to you for just a second? About something that happened today with the firehouse staff.”
I back away as he grabs Boscoe’s shoulder and Boscoe grimaces.
Boscoe folds his napkin and sets it slowly on the table. “Jess, I’ll be right back.”
“It’s Jessica.” My brother’s gruff voice makes me jump. I slip back into the booth as they walk off together and the doorbell rings a tinny hollow sound.
His protectiveness isn’t warranted, but I get the feeling that seeing Boscoe with me isn’t going to be easy on either of them.
But you know what they say…nothing worthwhile ever came easy.
Chapter Four
Boscoe
Dairen crosses his arms and I can see what’s going to come out. “Fuck no,” he says before I open my mouth.
“We’re adults.”
“Fuck. No.” He releases his arms and points to inside the restaurant. “She’s twenty-three. You’re…not. She’s young. You’re…not. She’s sweet. You’re—”
“I got it.” My stomach feels like a rock with the food inside. “I like Jessica. She’s smart and funny and if we see where this can go, who’s that really going to hurt, Dairen?”
“No. I just got her into my life. What happens when you two can’t make it work and then she won’t come to my house when you’re there or you don’t want to go out knowing she’s there?”
“But what if we do make it?”
“Mine’s the more reasonable way to see this. Boscoe, shit always goes south for firefighters. Our job is dangerous. We…” He closes his eyes. “We get hurt or sick. It’s not fair to her to be worrying about you every time you leave for those forty-eight hours. Firefighters experience depression more which affects both partners, communication is rough—think about going without talking to your significant other for two days or more at a time…it’s hell on them.”
“So I’m just supposed to be miserable for the rest of my life?”
“You’re the one who gets to decide if you’re miserable, Boscoe. My sister won’t change that. She’s not your savior.”
I’m about to disagree with that, but I know that it won’t change anything, and Reese comes out holding a to-go bag.
“Officer? Your food.”
“Thanks.” He grabs the bag and inhales. “Smells great. The guys back at the house will love this.”
“We do deliver, so please just let me know it’s for the station and I’ll make sure it’s piping hot when it gets there.”
“Will do. Thanks, Ms. Dynas. And nice to meet you.” Dairen can turn on the charm and I feel like punching him when he winks at her.
I don’t really care if he’s flirting with Reese, but I know he doesn’t care at all. He doesn’t care about my happiness. He doesn’t care about his sister’s happiness. Not that I’m saying I can make her happy. But I’d try my fucking hardest.
“I’m gonna go back inside.”
He has to get back to the station and he knows I have the next four days off. We’re a forty-eight/ninety-six station, forty-eight on and ninety-six off rotation. Most of the guys really love it because it allows for better family life. He’s also right that there are cons. I’ve seen many of my fellow fighters fall victim. But he’s also wrong. Our buddy Fitz has been married for thirty years, so there are good examples.
“Boscoe!” he calls me back and I turn at the door.
“What?”
“Don’t. Just don’t, please.”
I shake my head, knowing I’m going to regret saying this. “Fine.”
There is nothing fine about this situation and honestly, I don’t know if I can do what he’s asking—demanding—of me. That brunette beauty has already tunneled into my heart.
And what was once broken…
Now isn’t.
We finish up our food in silence. I pay because she’s in the bathroom when the check comes, but she doesn’t say too much when I tell her. Just that she’ll get the next date’s check.
But a second date looks unlikely.
I hand her the boxed desserts. I was just too stuffed to think about eating another bite.
We climb back into the truck and the sound of the tires rotating is the only sound for a while. I drive back to the law firm and park next to the only car still in the parking lot, assuming it’s hers. It’s better I don’t get out and walk her to her door, so I just stay sitting, staring out the windshield at an overgrown northern bayberry bush in front of the truck.
She rotates in the seat. “Boscoe, are you…okay?”
“Yeah, all good.” I tap out a rhythm on the steering wheel to the music.
“If I asked you to raise your right hand and put you under oath, would you be telling the truth?”
I turn to her. The console is in the way but I lift it, feeling the need to just have nothing between us.
“Your brother is less than thrilled that we might…be something.”
She puffs up her cheeks and blows out a long breath. “I figured.”
“I told him I’d step back.”
“And is that what you want to do?” She moves closer.
It’s not what I want, but I don’t want to want. Jess…she is what I want.
“No. Not at all. I’m…I’m completely taken by you, Jess. I think you’re brilliant and sexy and I’d like to get to know you better…” I sigh.
“But…”
“But I have to work with Dairen, usually a few days a month. And if it’s going to cause problems between the two of you…then maybe it’s for the best to just say goodnight and if we see each other again, then it’ll be easy to just remember that one fucking amazing kiss and curse my life forever.”
She laughs and it draws a smile out of me. For so long it was hard to smile. I felt like I was tarnishing Elise’s memory to be happy, but then I realized it wasn’t tarnishing, it was celebrating that we’d been happy together. And today it feels good to remember how we used to feel. We were young and in love…and I didn’t cause her death, but now I know I could’ve saved her by a simple procedure, and that’s one of the reasons I got an EMT certification, and why I got promoted over Dairen. Something that I wonder if he’s ever gotten over.
Jess slides closer. “And don’t I get a say as an adult on what I want?”
“It’s not that simple.”
She slips a hand behind my neck. “Boscoe…” Her face is now so close that we’re sharing oxygen. “I think the only thing that’s simple is that I
find you fucking amazing and I’d like to know you better.”
I claim her mouth. My lips press hard at first, how much I want this spilling over in the pressure. I back off just a little, but she won’t have it. She presses even harder. I clasp her head and tip it and she opens the gate. I dip my tongue in and taste chocolate on her tongue. She’d stuck her finger in the dessert mousse on the way home. I saw it and it about killed me. My cock remembers the scene and he jumps to life, combined with what’s happening with her hands, moving lower and lower on my chest, crossing my belt and getting a feel. She’s quite the mover and shaker. I’m not going to complain.
I growl into her mouth but continue my diversion. I won’t come in my pants. I won’t. But she’s so hot that I’m thinking everything possible not to do that.
She whimpers and I back away, our gaze holds, and I know I don’t want this night to end. I don’t want her to go home alone. I want to be there. And I don’t mean just tonight.
“Come to my place,” I say, not in a demand, but not in a question.
She nods her head. “Yes.”
I start the truck. “Buckle up, baby. It’s going to be a quick drive to my place.”
I have to keep my shit together and not take any chances getting to my place. I cut through the parking lot, instead of taking the next entrance into the complex. I park and in seconds I’m at her door. Jess slides to the edge of the bench seat and I clasp her hips and pull her close to me. She wraps her legs around me and I feel them latch on my back. Dragging her close, I let her feel what she’s inspired.
“Damn.”
“Ready?”
She nods with lax eyes and I fight the thoughts of taking her right here in my condo driveway. I want to savor this woman. Get my fill and let her get hers. Her pleasure will always come before mine.
I lift her and she keeps her legs hooked, focusing her lips on my neck. Her teeth grind down my neck and back up to my ear.
She whispers. “If I’d have gone home, I’d have to have gotten myself off. All because of you, Boscoe.”
Well, fuck me.
I start off and have to concentrate as my legs feel like one of those waving blow-up men.
I cherish carrying her. Protecting her. Being hers.
I use the doorknob keypad and it clicks open. “Welcome to my home.”
“Bedroom, Boscoe.”
Her request is my demand and in seconds we’re on the bed. Her on top of me and I’m reaching to the nightstand to turn on the lamp.
“I haven’t been with anyone in four years, Boscoe.”
Okay.
“Any certain reason?”
“That guy wasn’t the one and honestly, quite a disappointment. I didn’t want to waste time on someone who wasn’t…the one. I don’t know if you’re the one, so don’t freak out, but I think you could definitely end up being more than just someone.”
My lips creep up. “I’ve been celibate for two years, almost three, but who’s counting.”
She giggles and then quiets quickly. “Boscoe, if this doesn’t work out—”
I kiss away the end of that sentence. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that it does.
I grab her hips and lift mine, grinding my cock into the softness between her legs. She throws her head back and moans. Every button of her shirt gets me one step closer to seeing what I know is fantastic. And then that final one…
She grinds down on me and I see stars.
Yup. Gonna need to pull out the big guns to keep from prematurely firing.
I reach behind her and unclasp her bra. Her chest drops free of the confines of the cream lace and I cup both breasts, soft, heavy in my hands. My thumbs brush her nipples. The dusty pink skin pebbles into hard peaks. I lift my head and she takes the hint and lowers to my mouth, her hands just above my shoulders.
“Oh god…” She gasps as I suck a nipple into my mouth and continue to skim the other with my thumb, kneading the breast with my hand. “Yes. God, I love that, Boscoe.”
I love hearing my name from her mouth. It’s like sun after a cloudy day. There’s been a long cloud in my life. Until her.
I slow my actions. I want this to go on forever. I don’t want to have to think about tomorrow. Whatever happens, I will take care of it for both of us.
I reach to her pants and lower the zipper after the button. “Baby, take off your pants.”
She scrambles off of me. “Only if you do the same.”
I still as she starts to slip the pants over her voluptuous hips. My mouth salivates as her pretty silk and lace panties come into view. “Damn you’re gorgeous.”
In the soft light her body glows and a soft healthy blush brightens those round cheeks.
Jess crosses her arms as my gaze rises and falls over her body. “Mr. Boscoe…your pants.”
“Oh, right.” I stand and step close. “Do you want to?”
She lifts my T-shirt and her lips press into my collarbone. I reach back and pull the shirt over my head as her mouth starts a winding path down my chest and over my abs, until she’s at the top of my jeans. I suck in a breath. Fingers work my belt as I step out of my canvas shoes and she does the same to her heels. The sound of my zipper lowering hits my ears and I pause for one second to stop this before it’s too late…
But a warm mouth slides down my cock.
It’s too late.
She takes her time, sucking and rocking her hand along my cock. My body contracts and I know there’s a quick window to decide what’s really going to happen.
“Honey.” I moan. “Jess! If you don’t stop…” I grunt.
She looks up at me while her mouth slides down further than it ever has and I see it in her eyes. This is it. She wants to consume me.
“Yes…fuck.” I relax my shoulders and she continues faster. Faster. Working my cock like she can’t get enough. “Honey…I’m gonna come.”
Her hand double-times on my shaft as my cock jerks in her hand and the blinding white heat I’ve never felt, even when in a firestorm, blasts through my body. I thrust deep into her mouth and release the past with her and she catches every drop.
I pant hard and shake my head to stay upright. She stands and licks just a drop from the corner of her mouth. Sexy as fuck.
“Now it’s your turn.” I lay her back on the bed and lift those shapely legs, kissing down each, but stopping right before her heaven.
“Boscoe!”
I chuckle. “What would you like, honey?”
“If you don’t get in there, I’m going to get myself off. Giving you head has gotten me so wound up.”
I lift her ass, lifting her to my mouth, and I lap every drop of juice from her body. “Fuck, you’re tasty. I’ll eat you every day of my life.”
“Yes. Oh shit, yes!”
I suck on her sensitive pearl and her head rocks in the bed.
“Fuck, Boscoe…” Her feet pop to my shoulders and she starts to grind her pussy to my face. “I’m going to…oh god…” Her hands dig into my hair and she holds me at her clit. “Suck!”
I do and she screams out my name. Perfect. And my cock is rock hard again. I’ll never get enough of this woman.
When she’s starting to come down. I stand and stroke my cock. Her eyes are closed, mouth open, as she enjoys her orgasm. Hers. I was there, but it was all her. She’s quite the insistent little fox.
Her eyes open and she nods to me. “Slowly, please.”
I step forward. “Condom?”
“No, I’m on the pill and I’m clean.”
“I’m clean, too.”
“Then let’s stop talking and start fucking.”
I chuckle, but the gravity and beauty of the moment reminds me of what I can still have in my life. What I can enjoy and still be to someone. I’ve had twenty saves, but in this one second, I feel like I’m the one being saved.
I lean over her and she guides me where she wants me. She’s not bossy. She’s confident and sure. I stare into those melty, soft
chocolate orbs…
This is it. She’s mine.
The one I will love and save forever.
Chapter Five
Jessica
I want him inside of me like I’ve never wanted anything before. It’s making my gut burn and my pussy clench. I take a deep breath. Having had sex only a couple of times, and that being years ago…I can’t say I’m a virgin, but I can probably feel it. I close my eyes.
The warm head of his cock presses into me. He slips the crook of my knees into his arms.
“Jess.” His lips press to mine and I grab his face, frantically tangling my tongue with his. “Hey, hey, baby…” He doesn’t move and I open my eyes. “Jess, we don’t have to do this. I can wait for you to be…”
I use my thighs and jerk his cock into my body.
“Jesus, woman. Slowly.” He glides in a little farther.
“God, that feels good. You’re so big and hard.”
“And you’re damn hot and slick.”
“And I’d say you know heat.”
“Fuck yeah, baby. I know what’s hot.”
I let him take time. He’s right. Slowly. I just wanted to be connected to him.
Always.
He plants deep and groans. “I’m going to do everything I can to make this good for you.”
I touch his face. “No worries. I just…I just love being with you, Boscoe.”
“I love being with you, too, Jess.”
Our bodies start to move in unison, and I lock my feet behind his back. Just seeing him there is like a dream I didn’t know I even had. He’s what I want—sensitive and kind. What I need—hot as fuck and a generous lover. And what I desire—a man who can express himself. Maybe a mature guy just doesn’t have time for bullshit. Not that Boscoe looks a day over thirty, if that. He’ll be gorgeous for a very long time.